Ready-to-go lessons that inspire kids to love art!

Ready-to-go lessons that inspire kids to love art

The Kids Art Projects 101 art curriculum is designed for parents and teachers who want to tap into art experiences that encourage creativity, support problem solving and skill development, and inspire self-confidence in young artists.

You already know kids benefit in so many ways from authentic art experiences

You hear it everywhere… Business leaders are saying they value creativity as one of the leading skills they look for in new employees. Leading early childhood organizations are saying that the art of creating is essential to early childhood development. Research shows the mental health benefits of art experiences in children and adults of all ages.  And you know in your heart engaging, well-developed art experiences:

  • foster creativity, 
  • inspire kids to take artistic risks, 
  • provide an outlet for reducing stress and anxiety that are currently on the rise in children,
  • encourage self-discovery and self-confidence, and more!

So what can you expect from Kids Art Projects 101?

Kids Art Projects 101 will ultimately be a complete PreK through 5th grade art curriculum full of engaging art lessons to help you make authentic art experiences a regular part of children’s lives. Currently grade level bundles for PreK through first grade are available, and we are working on completing second grade this year.  Note that each of the “grade levels” can be used in a multi-age or homeschool setting, and they do not necessarily need to be presented in the sequence I recommend. Personally in grades K through 5 I like to have an overarching goal or focus for the year that ties all the units together, but you can certainly do the same units with a larger age range instead of aligning specifically with the grade level recommendations.

PRE-K Art Curriculum: Fostering Creativity Through Process Art

We begin with a strong foundation in process art. In this series there are  48 simple and fun process art activities to try with your kids.  Each lesson offers strategies for simplifying, enriching, and extending each activity so you can adjust to suit your kids’ needs. The focus here is playful exploration as you introduce children ages 3 to 6 to a wide variety of art experiences. 

The Fostering Creativity Through Art Series Delivers:

  • Open-ended art activities designed to inspire creative art exploration
  • Printable PDFs with clear directions, supply lists, work-sample photos, and tips for getting the most out of each activity
  • Differentiated strategies for simplifying, enriching, and extending each activity so you can adjust to suit your needs. 

Pre-K Art Curriculum Sequence

The series includes 48 authentic and engaging process art activities. A huge part of the value of this program is the thoughtfully planned sequence of activities. There is a rhythm to the sequence. This is an ideal way to get acquainted (or re-acquainted) with the most fundamental concepts of art-making and artistic thinking…things like: being present, embracing uncertainty, and exploring impulses. Pre-K Art Curriculum Process Art Activities Sequence

What is included in this pre-k art curriculum?

This process art curriculum includes:

  • 12 complete lesson plans for Painting Process Art Projects
  • 12 complete lesson plans for Sculpture Process Art Projects
  • 12 complete lesson plans for Printmaking Process Art Projects
  • 12 complete lesson plans for Mixed-Media Process Art Projects

Free Process Art Sample Lesson

Each lesson includes a printable PDF with clear directions, supply list, process photos, and tips for getting the most out of each activity. The PDF document may be viewed on a digital device or printed. If you prefer to print the file we have also included a customized binder covers, binder spines, and binder tabs. Process Art Curriculum for Kids

Differentiated strategies for simplifying, enriching, and extending each activity are also included.

Not familiar with our lesson plans? Download a sample lesson plan here.

RESOURCE OPTIONS FROM THIS CURRICULUM The pre-k art curriculum can be accessed in our shop in individual sections or as a complete curriculum.

 

K-2 Elementary Art Curriculum: Famous Artist Series

Introduce children to famous artworks and details about famous artists through an ongoing series of detailed unit plans for K-2 art teachers and homeschool families.

Inside each unit you’ll find a PDF unit guide full of information and tips for teaching the series of art lessons.

Each unit is broken down into three or four 40-minute sessions.

For each session there is a guided digital presentation that has already been prepared for you and can be used via Google Slides or PowerPoint. The presentation also introduces and guides you through completion of a studio project and follow-up activity.

Elementary Art Curriculum and Pacing Guide

While the units in the K-2 Famous Artist series can definitely be used in multiple grade levels if you prefer, I choose to divide them out into a distinct sequence as outlined and explained below. By doing so I am able to focus on an overarching goal for each grade level and provide some continuity between projects as we progress through the year.

I’ve outlined those overarching goals in the individual grade level sections below. However the same sequence could be done with a multi-age group, and you could choose a different sequence each year if your group works together for multiple years.

Kindergarten Art Curriculum Sequence

These are the lessons I typically present to kindergarten students.

Kindergarten-Elementary Art Curriculum and Pacing Guide

The overarching goal that drives the selection of artists and studio projects in this sequence is:

Students will be able to play and experiment with mark-making and material manipulation.

While I am sharing a huge part of what I use, it is important to note that the unscripted transitions between projects are also of tremendous value to the flow of this year-long curriculum. Before and after each unit, I revisit this overarching goal with students and reflect on the ways in which play and experimentation have influenced these artists.

While we pace through example after example, I challenge the students to think critically about how the artist’s approaches are similar and different from one another. I encourage them to find examples of other artists/people playing and experimenting and am constantly on the lookout for personal or trending connections to the ideas in each unit.

Of course, I also continuously encourage the students to fully embrace play and experimentation!

HOW TO BUY THE KINDERGARTEN ART CURRICULUM: The kindergarten curriculum can be purchased as a whole or in individual units in our shop.

First Grade Art Curriculum Sequence

These are the lessons I typically present to 1st grade students.

First Grade-Elementary Art Curriculum and Pacing Guide

The overarching goal that drives the selection of artists and studio projects in this sequence is:

Students will understand that imagination is a driving force for artists.

I use these actual resources (I do!!), but it is important to note that the unscripted transitions between projects are also of tremendous value to the flow of this year-long curriculum.

Before and after each unit, I revisit this overarching goal with students and reflect on the ways in which imagination has influenced these artists. While we pace through example after example, I challenge the students to think critically about how the artist’s approaches are similar and different from one another. I encourage them to find examples of other artists/people being influenced by their imaginations and am constantly on the lookout for personal or trending connections to the ideas in each unit.

Of course, I also continuously encourage the students to fully embrace their own imaginative thinking!

HOW TO BUY THE FIRST GRADE ART CURRICULUM: The first grade curriculum can be purchased as a whole or in individual units in our shop.

Second Grade Art Curriculum Sequence

These are the lessons I typically present to 2nd grade students.

Second Grade-Elementary Art Curriculum and Pacing Guide

The overarching goal that drives the selection of artists and studio projects in this sequence is:

Students will understand that nature has been a captivating influence for artists throughout time and across cultures.

While I am sharing a huge part of what I use, it is important to note that the unscripted transitions between projects are also of tremendous value to the flow of this year-long curriculum. Before and after each unit, I revisit this overarching goal with students and reflect on the ways in which nature has influenced these artists.

While we pace through example after example, I challenge the students to think critically about how the artist’s approaches are similar and different from one another. I encourage them to find examples of other artists/people being influenced by nature and am constantly on the lookout for personal or trending connections to the ideas in each unit. Of course, also continuously encourage your students to seek their own inspiration from the natural world.

HOW TO BUY THE SECOND GRADE ART CURRICULUM: We anticipate finishing the second grade curriculum in fall of 2023. For now individual units can be purchased in our shop.

3-5 Elementary Art Curriculum: Coming Soon

The 3-5 elementary art curriculum will be released in the coming years. As I mentioned before I am actively teaching and using these lessons with my students, and I’m eager to share them with you. It just takes a bit more time than you might imagine to get them ready for you, and of course, I want them to be as close to perfect as possible.